No urgent need for Napoles confinement, doctors say

ABS-CBN News

'Ang sakit-sakit. Maawa po kayo,' Napoles tells court

MANILA (3RD UPDATE) - Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles has been brought back to her detention cell in Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna after doctors saw no urgent need for her to be confined at Ospital ng Makati.

The Makati Regional Trial Court on Friday morning allowed Napoles to be brought to Ospital ng Makati for a check-up after the businesswoman complained of severe abdominal pain during this morning's hearing.

Napoles personally appeared before the Makati RTC Branch 150 on Friday morning for a hearing on her plea to undergo surgery and hospital confinement at St. Luke's Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Napoles, in a motion filed last March 4, is seeking leave for medical treatment for a 6-centimeter growth in her uterus, a condition known as myoma uteri.

During today's hearing, Napoles said she was in so much pain that she wanted to see a doctor immediately afterwards.

She also turned emotional as she appealed to the court to approve her motion to seek confinement at St Luke's.

Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda then agreed that Napoles be brought to Ospital ng Makati after the hearing but only to undergo a medical check-up.

Escorted by the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), Napoles arrived at Ospital ng Makati at around noon. Makati Police also helped secure the vicinity of the hospital.

Napoles was immediately brought to the hospital's emergency room.

'Namilipit sa sakit'

Makati Police Chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban later told reporters that Napoles, who was accompanied by her husband, lawyer and a PNP doctor, was transferred to a hospital room to undergo various tests.

Lukban said the court allowed the businesswoman to undergo a medical check-up after she complained of severe stomach pain.

But he clarified that the hospital visit had nothing to do with Napoles' motion to seek surgery.

He said both parties agreed that Napoles be brought to Ospital ng Makati in Barangay Pembo since it has the facilities necessary for the tests Napoles needs.

He said the PNP doctor accompanying Napoles inside the hospital would be the one to decide whether Napoles will be brought back to Fort Sto. Domingo after the medical exam conducted by the Ospital ng Makati doctors.

Meanwhile, the court has yet to decide on Napoles' petition to undergo surgery and hospital confinement at St. Luke's in Taguig for the lump in her uterus.

Judge Alameda told Napoles it would be more ideal for her to undergo surgery at government hospitals such as the Philipine General Hospital, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Ospital ng Makati or East Avenue Medical Center.

According to Alameda, he understands the medical condition of Napoles. But he also noted that Napoles is still a detainee and thus cannot choose which hospital she goes to.

Alameda also pointed out that all expenses for Napoles' surgery and confinement, if approved, will have to be shouldered by the businesswoman herself.

Napoles, who is facing plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman over the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam, is currently detained in Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna for a serious illegal detention case filed by key whistleblower Benhur Luy.

The police received the court subpoena for Napoles' personal appearance late Thursday evening and made last minute arrangements for her transfer this morning.

A Makati Medical Center doctor earlier told the court that one of the possibilities for Napoles' condition is cancer, and this can only be verified through a biopsy.

Sindac said the PNP is ready to secure Napoles in case the court approves her plea. -- Reports from Adrian Ayalin and Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News; Zhander Cayabyab and Dexter Ganibe, dzMM